Unidentified decedent

There were approximately 14,000 UIDs in the United States as of 2023.{{cite news|title=National Missing and Unidentified Persons System|url=https://www.namus.gov//|access-date=20 December 2023}} A body may go unidentified due to death in a state where the person was unrecorded, in an advanced state of decomposition, or with major facial injuries. In many cases in the United States, teenagers with a history of running away would be removed from missing person files when they would turn 18, thus eliminating potential matches with existing unidentified person listings.{{cite news|title=New push to ID teen victim of 1977 murder|url=http://www.king5.com/article/news/local/investigations/new-push-to-id-teen-victim-of-1977-murder/281-307841378|access-date=30 January 2018|work=King 5|agency=King TV|date=8 October 2013}}

Some UIDs die outside their native state. The Sumter County Does, murdered in South Carolina, were thought to have been Canadian. Both were eventually identified as individuals from Pennsylvania and Minnesota.{{cite news |title=Sumter County shooting victims identified through DNA after 44 years |url=https://www.wltx.com/article/news/crime/mystery-solved-in-sumter-co/101-dd1300d2-5574-44f9-b763-29caecee8476 |access-date=20 January 2021 |work=wltx.com |agency=CBS |date=19 January 2021}} Barbara Hess Precht died in Ohio in 2006, but was not identified until 2014. She had been living as a transient with her husband in California for decades but returned to her native state of Ohio, where she died of unknown circumstances.{{cite news|last1=Dixon|first1=Deb|title=New Clues about 'Pearl Lady's' Husband|url=http://www.local12.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/new-clues-pearl-ladys-husband-20609.shtml|access-date=20 November 2014|work=WKRC Cincinnati|agency=CBS|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141119034054/http://www.local12.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/new-clues-pearl-ladys-husband-20609.shtml|archive-date=19 November 2014}} In both of these cases, the UIDs were found in a recognizable state and had their fingerprints and dental records taken with ease. It is unknown if the Sumter County Does' DNA was later recovered, since their bodies would require exhumation to recover DNA.{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|title=Bodies Remain Unidentified|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/53605031/|access-date=7 August 2014|agency=The Daily Times-News|date=19 September 1976|page=10}}{{open access}} Many undocumented immigrants who die in the United States after crossing the border from Mexico remain unidentified.{{cite news|last1=Stryker|first1=Ace|title=In Southwest, illegal immigrants often die anonymously|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/news/nation-world/article/In-Southwest-illegal-immigrants-often-die-1653188.php|access-date=23 July 2015|work=Seattle Pi|publisher=Associated Press|date=2 April 2008}}

Many UIDs are found long after they die and are found to have decomposed severely. This significantly changes their facial features and may prevent identification through fingerprints. Environmental conditions often are a major factor in decomposition, as some UIDs are found months after death with little decomposition if their bodies are placed in cold areas. Some are found in warm areas shortly after death, but hot temperatures and scavenging animals deteriorated the features.{{cite web|title=NamUs UP # 10566|url=https://identifyus.org/cases/10566|website=identifyus.org|publisher=National Missing and Unidentified Persons System|access-date=22 December 2014|date=27 August 2012|archive-date=22 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222050733/https://identifyus.org/cases/10566|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Pima Arizona Jane Doe April 1981|url=http://canyouidentifyme.org/PimaArizonaJaneDoeApril1981|website=canyouidentifyme.org|access-date=21 January 2015}} In some cases, warm temperatures mummify the corpse, which also distorts its features, though the tissues have survived initial decomposition. One example is the "Persian Princess", who died in the 1990s but, in an act of archaeological forgery, was untruthfully stated in Pakistan to have been over 2,000 years old.{{cite journal |last1= Romey |first1= Kristin M. |last2= Rose |first2= Mark |date= January–February 2001 |url= http://www.archaeology.org/0101/etc/persia.html |title= Special Report: Saga of the Persian Princess |journal= Archaeology |volume= 54 |issue= 1 |publisher= Archaeological Institute of America |access-date= 22 February 2015 |archive-date= 18 November 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121118222027/http://www.archaeology.org/0101/etc/persia.html |url-status= dead }}

Putrefaction often occurs when bacteria decompose the remains and generate gasses inside out, causing the corpse to swell and become discolored. In cases such as the Rogers family, who were murdered in 1989 by Oba Chandler, the bodies were deposited in water but surfaced after gasses in their remains caused them to float to the surface. They were deceased a short period of time but were already severely decomposed and unrecognizable, due to putrefaction that occurred while underwater and high temperatures. It was not until a week later that dental records revealed their identities.Bourdett, Paul, prod. "Water Logged." Forensic Files. Dir. Michael Jordan. HLN. 10 December 2010. Television

Skeletonization occurs when the UID has decayed to the point that bones and possibly some tissues are all that is found, usually when death occurred a significant amount of time before discovery. If a skeletonized body is found, fingerprints and toeprints are impossible to recover, unless they have survived the initial decomposition of the remains. Fingerprints are often used to identify the dead and were used widely before DNA comparison was possible. In some cases, partial remains limit the available information. Skeletonized UIDs are often forensically reconstructed if searching dental records and DNA databases is unsuccessful.

Often, someone who tries to conceal a body attempts to destroy it or render it unrecognizable.{{cite news|last1=Hayes|first1=Ashley|title=How authorities identify a burned body|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/13/health/burned-body-id/|access-date=1 January 2015|agency=CNN|date=13 February 2013}} The currently unidentified Yermo John Doe was killed approximately one hour before he was found, but was completely unrecognizable.{{cite web|title=NamUs UP # 918|url=https://identifyus.org/en/cases/918|work=National Missing and Unidentified Persons System|access-date=19 November 2014|date=12 March 2008|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129035401/https://identifyus.org/en/cases/918|url-status=dead}} When Lynn Breeden, a Canadian model, was murdered and set ablaze in a dumpster, her body was so severely damaged that DNA processing and fingerprint analysis were impossible. She was identified sometime later after her unique dentition matched her dental records, and DNA extracted from her blood at a different scene was matched.Dowling, Paul. "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXHi3N9NjWA Charred Remains]." Forensic Files HLN. Atlanta, Georgia, 13 November 1997. Television. Linda Agostini's body was found burned near Albury, Australia in 1934. Her remains were identified ten years later through dental comparison.{{Citation| first=Bruce| last=Pennay| title =Agostini, Linda (1905–1934)| publisher =Australian National University| work=Australian Dictionary of Biography| url =http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A130703b.htm| access-date = 2 May 2007}}

Usually, bodies are identified by comparing their usually unique DNA, fingerprints and dental characteristics.{{cite web|last1=Claridge|first1=Jack|title=Identifying the Victim|url=http://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/identifying-the-victim.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207213516/http://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/identifying-the-victim.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=7 December 2007|website=Explore Forensics|access-date=1 January 2015|date=10 December 2014}} DNA is considered the most accurate, but was not widely used until the 1990s. It is often obtained through hair follicles, blood, tissue and other biological material.{{cite web|title=8 Body Parts Forensic Scientists Use to ID a Body|url=http://www.forensicsciencetechnician.org/8-body-parts-forensic-scientists-use-to-id-a-body/|website=Forensic Science Technician|access-date=1 January 2015|date=2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101035414/http://www.forensicsciencetechnician.org/8-body-parts-forensic-scientists-use-to-id-a-body/|url-status=dead}} Bodies can also be identified with other physical information, such as illnesses, evidence of surgery, breaks and fractures, and height and weight information.{{cite web|last1=Valk|first1=Diana|title=3 Ways to Identify a Body When DNA is Not An Option|url=http://forensicoutreach.com/three-ways-to-identify-a-body-when-dna-is-not-an-option/|website=Forensics Outreach|access-date=1 January 2015|date=18 November 2013}} A medical examiner will often be involved with identifying a body.{{cite web|title=IDENTIFICATION PROCESS|url=http://www.sfu.museum/forensics/eng/pg_media-media_pg/identification/|website=virtualmuseum.com|access-date=1 January 2015}}{{cite web|title=POSTMORTEM IDENTIFICATION|url=http://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/postmortem-identification|website=Crime Library|access-date=1 January 2015|date=2014}} Since 2018, genetic genealogy has also been used to identify many bodies by matching the deceased’s DNA with that of relatives who have uploaded their DNA to genealogy sites.

Many police departments and medical examiners have made efforts to identify the deceased by placing mortuary photographs of the UID's face online. In some instances, the mortuary photographs would be retouched of wounds if they are to be released to the public.{{cite news|last1=Friess|first1=Steve|title=To identify 'John Doe' victims, investigators turn to the Web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/01/25/to_identify_john_doe_victims_investigators_turn_to_the_web/|access-date=23 July 2015|work=Boston Globe|date=25 January 2004}} Dismembered corpses may also be digitally altered to appear attached to the body.{{cite journal|last1=Pravir Bodkha, Bishwanath Yadav|title=A Role of Digital Imaging in Identification of Unidentified Bodies|journal=J Indian Acad Forensic Med|date=December 2012|volume=34|issue=4|access-date=31 December 2014|url=http://medind.nic.in/jal/t12/i4/jalt12i4p318.pdf|issn=0971-0973}}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} This is not considered to be the most effective method, as the nature of death often distorts the UID's face.{{cite web|title=Question: Why don't you share photos from the coroner's office?|url=https://www.facebook.com/HelpIDMe/photos/a.830100223684553.1073741890.698376120190298/830098297018079/?type=1&theater|website=Help ID Me|publisher=National Center for Missing & Exploited Children|access-date=9 April 2015|date=7 May 2014}} An example of this is that of "Grateful Doe," who was killed in a vehicular crash in 1995. He sustained extreme trauma that disfigured his face.{{cite news|last1=Lohr|first1=David|title=Grateful Dead Fan Remains Nameless, 18 Years After Fatal Crash|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/25/grateful-doe_n_5208512.html|access-date=5 September 2014|agency=Huffington Post|date=25 April 2014}}

A Jane Doe found in a river in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, had died months earlier, but was preserved by the cold temperatures. Her morgue photographs were displayed publicly on a medical examiner's website, but her face had been distorted by swelling after absorbing water, with additional decomposition.{{cite news|last1=Luthern|first1=Ashley|title=Investigators trying to solve mystery of woman found in 1982|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/investigators-trying-to-solve-mystery-of-woman-found-in-1982-b99396464z1-284101131.html?ipad=y|access-date=13 December 2014|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|agency=Journal Sentinel|date=27 November 2014}}

Death masks have also been used to assist with identification, which have been stated to be more accurate, as they are required to display "relaxed expressions," which often do not illustrate the faces of the UIDs as they were found, such as that of L'Inconnue de la Seine, a French suicide victim found in the late 1800s.{{cite news |first=Angelique|last=Chrisafis |title=Ophelia of the Seine |url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/visualart/story/0,,2219993,00.html |work=The Guardian Weekend magazine, page 17 – 27 |date= 1 December 2007 |access-date=8 April 2015}} However, a death mask will still depict sunken eyes or other characteristics of a long-term illness, which do not often show how they would have looked in life.Madea, Burkhard, Johanna Preuss, and Frank Musshoff. "From Flourishing Life to Dust-The Natural Cycle." Mummies of the World. Ed. Alfried Wieczorek and Wilfried Rosendahl. First ed. 2010. 28. Print.

{{Main|Forensic facial reconstruction}}

When a body is found in an advanced state of decomposition or has died violently, reconstructions are sometimes required to receive assistance from the public, when releasing images of a corpse is considered taboo.{{cite news|last1=Izadi|first1=Elahe|title=Can this computer generated image of a 'Baby Doe' lead investigators to her identity?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/07/08/can-this-computer-generated-image-of-a-baby-doe-lead-investigators-to-her-identity/|access-date=4 August 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=9 July 2015}} Often, those in a recognizable state will often be reconstructed due to the same reason. Faces can be reconstructed with a three-dimensional model or by 2D, which includes sketches or digital reconstructions, similar to facial composites.{{cite news|last1=Kilgannon|first1=Corey|title=Through Art and Forensics, Faces of Unidentified Victims Emerge|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/21/nyregion/through-art-and-forensics-students-give-unknown-victims-an-identity.html?smid=fb-share|access-date=21 January 2015|work=New York Times|date=20 January 2015}}{{cite news|first= Rick|last= Martinez|title=Sculptor Reconstructs Faces to Aid Police|url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#query=unidentified+murder+victim&offset=1|newspaper=San Bernardo County Sun|date=9 May 1979|page=27|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = 21 July 2014 }} {{Open access}} Sketches have been used in a variety of cases. Forensic artist Karen T. Taylor created her own method during the 1980s, which involved much more precise techniques, such as estimating locations and sizes of the features of a skull. This method has been shown to be fairly successful.Dowling, Paul. "Saving Face." Forensic Files. Prod. Paul Bourdett and Vince Sherry. Dir. Michael Jordan. 28 November 2007.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has developed methods to estimate the likenesses of the faces of UIDs whose remains were too deteriorated to create a two-dimensional sketch or reconstruction due to the lack of tissue on the bones. A skull would be placed through a CT scanner and the image would then be manipulated with a software that was intended for architecture design, to add digital layers of tissue based on the UID's age, sex and race.{{cite news|last1=Hicks|first1=Brad|title=Unraveling the Jane Doe Mystery|url=http://fox6now.com/2012/02/29/unraveling-the-jane-doe-mystery/|access-date=25 July 2014|publisher=Fox News|date=29 February 2012}}

The following gallery depicts various ways UIDs have been reconstructed:

File:L'inconnue de la Seine (masque mortuaire).jpg|Death mask (L'inconnue de la Seine)

File:Broward John Doe 79 (2).JPG|Forensic sketch (Broward County John Doe, 1979)

File:1980 FL John Doe.jpg|Facial composite (Pinellas County John Doe, 1980)

File:Caroline County John Doe (older).jpg|Three-dimensional clay reconstruction (Caroline County John Doe, older decedent)

File:Mary Anderson Natalie Murry2.jpg|Jane Doe alias “Mary Anderson”

File:Lumberton Jane Doe Recon 001c.jpg|Reconstruction created through a CT scan (Lumberton Jane Doe)

In some cases, such as that of Colleen Orsborn, law enforcement had erroneously excluded the true identity of the unidentified person as a possible identity. In Orsborn's case, she had fractured one of the bones in her leg, but a medical examiner who performed the autopsy on her remains was not able to discover evidence of the injury and subsequently excluded her from the case. It was not until 2011 when DNA confirmed Orsborn was indeed the victim found in 1984.{{cite news|last1=Prieto|first1=Bianca|title=Dr. G links body found in Orange in 1984 to missing Daytona Beach teen girl|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/02/02/dr-g-links-body-found-in-orange-in-1984-to-missing-daytona-beach-teen-girl/|access-date=28 December 2014|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=2 February 2011}} In cases such as the Racine County Jane Doe, the decision to rule out one possible identity has also been subjected to criticism. Aundria Bowman, a teen who disappeared in 1989 who bore a strong resemblance to a body found in 1999, was excluded, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.{{cite web|title=NamUs UP # 4741|url=https://identifyus.org/en/cases/4741|website=NamUs.org|publisher=National Missing and Unidentified Persons System|access-date=11 June 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183115/https://identifyus.org/en/cases/4741|url-status=dead}} On an online forum, known as Websleuths, users have disagreed with this ruling.{{cite web|title=WI – Raymond (Racine County) – WhtFem 199UFWI, 14-25, July'99 *Graphic*|url=http://www.websleuths.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-65381-p-2.html|website=websleuths.com|access-date=31 December 2014}} In the case of Lavender Doe, a mother of a missing girl also disagreed with the exclusion of her missing daughter through DNA, as she claimed the reconstruction of the victim looked very similar to her daughter.{{cite news|last1=Sutton|first1=Field|title=Brandi Well's mother reacts to Jane Doe renderings: "That looks so much like Brandi"|url=http://www.cbs19.tv/story/24697881/brandi-wells-mother-reacts-to-jane-doe-renderings|access-date=31 July 2014|agency=KTYX News|publisher=CBS|date=11 February 2014|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808062329/http://www.cbs19.tv/story/24697881/brandi-wells-mother-reacts-to-jane-doe-renderings|url-status=dead}}

File:SomertonMan2.jpg was found in 1948 in Adelaide, South Australia, and possibly identified in 2022 using DNA analysis.]]

• Whitehall Mystery, England, unidentified since 1888Cullen, Tom (1965) Autumn of Terror, London: The Bodley Head, p. 95
• Oak Grove Jane Doe, United States, unidentified since 1946{{cite news |last1=Wicks |first1=Chelsea |title=Local crime authors have theory on torso identity |url=https://www.koin.com/news/local-crime-authors-have-theory-on-torso-identity/ |access-date=26 April 2025 |work=KOIN 6 |publisher=Nexstar Media Group |date=Feb 28, 2017}}
• The Somerton Man, Australia, unidentified since 1948,The Advertiser, [http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page2654191 "Tamam Shud"], 10 June 1949, p. 2 possibly identified in 2022{{Cite web |last1=Keane |first1=Daniel |last2=Marchant |first2=Gabriella |date=2022-07-26 |title=Somerton Man identified as Melbourne electrical engineer, researcher says |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-26/somerton-man-identified-melbourne-born-engineer-researcher-says/101272182 |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=ABC News |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726115342/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-26/somerton-man-identified-melbourne-born-engineer-researcher-says/101272182 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Yim |first=Noah |date=2022-07-27 |title=Seven-decade mystery of Somerton Man solved |work=The Australian |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sevendecade-mystery-ofsomerton-man-solved/news-story/71976d67a215efb89cc50bc8c2425ac8 |access-date=2022-08-03 |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726145617/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sevendecade-mystery-ofsomerton-man-solved/news-story/71976d67a215efb89cc50bc8c2425ac8 |url-status=live }}
• Isdal Woman, Norway, unidentified since 1970{{Cite web |date=2019-06-24 |title=Death in Ice Valley: New clues in a Norwegian mystery |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-48736937 |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
• Little Miss Lake Panasoffkee, United States, unidentified since 1971{{Cite web |date=2021-03-06 |title=Search For Little Miss Panasoffkee's Real Name And Killer Continues, Even After 50 Years |url=https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/courts-law/2021-03-06/search-for-little-miss-panasoffkees-real-name-and-killer-continues-even-after-50-years |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=WUSF Public Media |language=en}}
• Fred the Head, United Kingdom, unidentified since 1971{{cite news |last1=Kreft |first1=Helen |title=Amateur detective determined to solve gruesome Burton murder that has battled police for decades |url=https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/burton-news/amateur-detective-determined-solve-gruesome-6342918 |access-date=26 July 2024 |work=Staffordshire Live |date=2 January 2022 |language=en}}
• Long Beach Jane Doe, United States, unidentified since 1974{{Cite web |date=2013-06-05 |title=Police Arrest Man For 1974 Murder -- Now Just Have To Figure Out Who Victim Was - CBS Los Angeles |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/police-arrest-man-for-1974-murder-now-just-have-to-figure-out-who-victim-was/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}
• Heul Girl, Netherlands, unidentified since 1976{{Cite web |title=Research reveals hunger Heul girl {{!}} NL Times |url=https://nltimes.nl/2013/11/13/research-reveals-hunger-heul-girl |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=nltimes.nl |language=en}}
• Perry County Jane Doe, United States, unidentified since 1979{{Cite web |date= |title=Pennsylvania State Police and Perry County District Attorney's Office Team with Othram to Identify a 1979 Homicide Victim |url=https://dnasolves.com/articles/perry-county-jane-doe-1979/ |access-date=December 31, 2023 |website=dnasolves.com}}
• Eklutna Annie, United States, unidentified since 1980{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Jill |title=Do you know this woman? |url=https://www.webcenterfairbanks.com/2020/09/22/do-you-know-this-woman/ |access-date=26 April 2025 |work=Alaska's Newsource Fairbanks |publisher=Alaska’s News Source |date=September 22, 2020}}
• St. Louis Jane Doe, United States, unidentified since 1983{{cite news |last1=Byers |first1=Christine |title=New hope in cold case of decapitated girl found in St. Louis, but where's the body? |url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/new-hope-in-cold-case-of-decapitated-girl-found-in/article_ef7aca67-2f9f-5c76-9516-4285802f338f.html |access-date=26 April 2025 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |publisher=Lee Enterprises |date=March 17, 2013}}
• Vernon County Jane Doe, United States, unidentified since 1984{{Cite web|first=Matt |last=Johnson|title=New forensic drawing released of Vernon County's 1984 Jane Doe|url=https://lacrossetribune.com/vernonbroadcaster/news/local/new-forensic-drawing-released-of-vernon-countys-1984-jane-doe/article_7cc1aa23-8551-5772-9d25-329833e17132.html|access-date=29 December 2020|website=La Crosse Tribune|date=16 December 2015 |language=en}}
• Nevada City Jane Doe, United States, unidentified since 1984{{cite news |last1=Porras |first1=Gabriel |title=Nevada County Sheriff's Office needs help identifying cold case victim |url=https://www.abc10.com/article/news/crime/nevada-county-cold-case-victim-id/103-309e76ad-4a82-4ed1-b422-5845b0de1ac6?ref=exit-recirc |access-date=26 April 2025 |work=KXTV |publisher=Tegna Inc. |date=December 23, 2023}}
• Teteringen Girl, The Netherlands, unidentified since 1990{{cite web|title=Identify Me: NL02 - Teteringen Girl|url=https://www.interpol.int/fr/How-we-work/Notices/Operation-Identify-Me/NL02-Teteringen-Girl|website=www.interpol.int|language=fr}}
• The Gentleman of Heligoland, Germany, unidentified since 1994{{Cite news |title=M&S tie and metal shoe lasts: new clues in cold case of 'the Gentleman' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/28/heligoland-the-gentleman-researchers-mystery-german-cold-case-marks-spencer |last=Oltermann |first=Philip |date=28 April 2022 |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=The Guardian}}
• Jennifer Fairgate, Norway, unidentified since 1995{{Cite web |title=Who is Oslo Plaza woman 'Jennifer Fairgate'? All the theories on Unsolved Mysteries case |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/true-crime/unsolved-mysteries-jennifer-fergate-theories-what-happened/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}
• Persian Princess, Pakistan, unidentified since 1996{{cite journal |last1= Romey |first1= Kristin M. |last2= Rose |first2= Mark |date= January–February 2001 |url= http://www.archaeology.org/0101/etc/persia.html |title= Special Report: Saga of the Persian Princess |journal= Archaeology |volume= 54 |issue= 1 |publisher= Archaeological Institute of America |access-date= 18 October 2014 |archive-date= 18 November 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121118222027/http://www.archaeology.org/0101/etc/persia.html |url-status= dead }}
• Mary Anderson, United States, unidentified since 1996{{Cite web |title=No Clues In October Suicide Woman May Be Buried Soon Beneath Blank Grave Marker {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/feb/18/no-clues-in-october-suicide-woman-may-be-buried/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=www.spokesman.com}}
• "Adam", United Kingdom, unidentified since 2001{{Cite news|date=27 February 2003|title=Torso murder inquiry moves to Nigeria|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2803441.stm|access-date=29 December 2020|work=BBC News}}
• "Girl from the Main", Germany, unidentified since 2001. https://www.interpol.int/en/What-you-can-do/Identify-Me/Countries-in-which-the-bodies-were-found/Women-found-in-Germany/DE08-The-girl-in-the-River-Main
• Wembley Point Woman, United Kingdom, unidentified since 2004{{Cite news |date=2022-10-30 |title=Wembley Point Woman pictured 18 years after death |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-63445805 |access-date=2025-02-25 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
• Peter Bergmann, Ireland, unidentified since 2009{{Cite news |title='Peter Bergmann': Renewed appeal over man found dead on Sligo beach 14 years ago |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/08/14/peter-bergmann-renewed-appeal-over-man-found-dead-on-sligo-beach-14-years-ago/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}
• Angel of the Meadow, United Kingdom, unidentified since 2010{{Cite web |last=Britton |first=Paul |date=2022-08-22 |title="We know she suffered a violent death": The mystery of the Angel of the Meadow |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mystery-angel-of-the-meadow-24781517 |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}
• Smurfette Jane Doe, United States, unidentified since 2012{{cite news |title=Murder mystery: Teen still unidentified 4 years later |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/investigations/murder-mystery-teen-still-unidentified-4-years-later/285-352694126 |access-date=26 April 2025 |work=KHOU |publisher=Tegna Inc. |date=November 16, 2016}}
• Clocaenog Forest Man, United Kingdom, unidentified since 2015{{Cite web |date=2018-11-16 |title=Body buried in forest 'since 2004' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-46243092 |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

• List of wheel-well stowaway flights, many of whom do not survive the attempt and have not been identified
• Body identification
• Operation Identify Me

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Unidentified decedents}}

• [http://www.doenetwork.org/ The Doe Network]
• [http://missingkids.org/ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children]
• [http://namus.gov/ National Missing and Unidentified Persons System]
• [https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/vicap/unidentified-persons FBI Unidentified Victims]
• [https://www.facebook.com/HelpIDMe "Help ID Me" on Facebook]

Category:Forensic science

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